2013 Marty Hall

Multithreaded
Programming in Java
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2013 Marty Hall

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Agenda
Why threads?
Basic approach
Make a task list with Executors.newFixedThreadPool
Add tasks to list with taskList.execute(someRunnable)

Three variations on the theme

Separate classes that implement Runnable
Main app implements Runnable
Inner classes that implement Runnable

Related topics
Race conditions and synchronization
Helpful Thread-related methods
Advanced topics in concurrency
5

2013 Marty Hall

Overview
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Motivation for Concurrent

Programming
Pros
Advantages even on single-processor systems
Efficiency
Downloading network data files

Convenience
A clock icon

Multi-client applications
HTTP Server, SMTP Server

Many computers have multiple processors

Find out via Runtime.getRuntime().availableProcessors()

Cons
7

Significantly harder to debug and maintain than singlethreaded apps

Steps for
Concurrent Programming
First, make a task list
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(poolSize);
The poolSize is the maximum number of simultaneous threads.
For many apps, it is higher than the number of tasks, so each
task has a separate thread.
There are other types of thread pools, but this is simplest

Second, add tasks to the list (three options)

Make a separate class that implements Runnable.
Make instances of this class and start threading via
taskList.execute(new MySeparateRunnableClass())

Have your existing class implement Runnable.

Start threading via taskList.execute(this)

Use an inner class.

taskList.execute(new MyInnerRunnableClass())
8

 2013 Marty Hall

Approach One:
Separate Classes that
Implement Runnable
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Thread Mechanism One:

Separate Runnable Class
Make class that implements Runnable
No import statements needed: Runnable is in java.lang

Put actions to be performed in run method

public class MyRunnableClass implements Runnable {
public void run() { }
}

Create instance of your class

Or lots of instances if you want lots of threads

Pass instance to ExecutorService.execute

taskList.execute(new MyRunnableClass());
The number of simultaneous threads wont exceed the
maximum size of the pool.
10

Separate Runnable Class:

Template Code
public class MainClass extends SomeClass {
...
public void startThreads() {
int poolSize = ...;
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(poolSize);
for(int i=0; i<something; i++) {
taskList.execute(new SomeTask(...));
}
}
}
public class SomeTask implements Runnable {
public void run() {
// Code to run in the background
}
}

11

Thread Mechanism One:

Example (Continued)
import java.util.concurrent.*;
public class App1 extends SomeClass {
public App1() {
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(100);
taskList.execute(new Counter(this, 6));
taskList.execute(new Counter(this, 5));
taskList.execute(new Counter(this, 4));
taskList.shutdown();
}

The shutdown method means that the task list will no

longer accept new tasks (via execute). Tasks already
in the queue will still run. It is not usually necessary
to call shutdown, but in this case, you want the
program to exit after the tasks are completed. If you
didnt call shutdown here, you would have to kill the
process with Control-C (command line) or clicking the
red button (Eclipse), because a background thread
will still be running, waiting for new tasks to be added
to the queue.

public void pause(double seconds) {

try {
Thread.sleep(Math.round(1000.0 * seconds));
} catch (InterruptedException ie) { }
}
12

Thread Mechanism One:

Example
public class Counter implements Runnable {
private final App1 mainApp;
private final int loopLimit;
public Counter(App1 mainApp, int loopLimit) {
this.mainApp = mainApp;
this.loopLimit = loopLimit;
}
public void run() {
for(int i=0; i<loopLimit; i++) {
String threadName = Thread.currentThread().getName();
System.out.printf("%s: %s%n", threadName, i);
mainApp.pause(Math.random());
}
}
}
13

Thread Mechanism One:

Example (Continued)
public class App1Test {
public static void main(String[] args) {
new App1();
}
}

14

Thread Mechanism One: Results

pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-1:

0
0
0
1
2
1
1
3
2
2
3
4
3
4
5

15

Pros and Cons of

Separate-Class Approach
Advantages
Loose coupling
Can change pieces independently
Can reuse Runnable class in more than one application

Passing arguments
If you want different threads to do different things, you pass args to
constructor, which stores them in instance variables that run
method uses

Little danger of race conditions

You usually use this approach when there is no data shared among
threads, so no need to synchronize.

Disadvantages
Hard to access main app.
If you want to call methods in main app, you must
Pass reference to main app to constructor, which stores it
Make methods in main app be public
16

 2013 Marty Hall

Approach Two: Main

App Implements
Runnable
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Review of Interfaces: Syntax

Shape interface
public interface Shape {
public double getArea(); // No body, just specification
}

Circle class
public class Circle implements Shape {
public double getArea() { some real code }
}

Note
You can implement many interfaces
public class MyClass implements Foo, Bar, Baz { }
18

Review of Interfaces: Benefits

Class can be treated as interface type
public interface Shape {
public double getArea();
}
public class Circle implements Shape { }
public class Rectangle implements Shape { }
Shape[] shapes =
{ new Circle(), new Rectangle() };
double sum = 0;
for(Shape s: shapes) {
sum = sum + s.getArea(); // All Shapes have getArea
}
19

Thread Mechanism Two:

Main App Implements Runnable
Have main class implement Runnable
Put actions in run method of existing class
public class MyClass extends Something implements Runnable {

public void run() { }

}

Pass the instance of main class to execute

taskList.execute(this);

Main differences from previous approach

Good
run can easily call methods in main class, since it is in that class

Bad
If run accesses any shared data (instance variables), you have
to worry about conflicts (race conditions)
Very hard to pass arguments, so each task starts off the same
20

Main App Implements Runnable:

Template Code
public class ThreadedClass extends AnyClass
implements Runnable {
public void run() {
// Code to run in background
}
public void startThreads() {
int poolSize = ...;
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(poolSize);
for(int i=0; i<someSize; i++) {
taskList.execute(this);
}
}
...
}
21

Thread Mechanism Two:

Example
public class App2 extends SomeClass implements Runnable {
private final int loopLimit;
public App2(int loopLimit) {
this.loopLimit = loopLimit;
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(100);
taskList.execute(this);
taskList.execute(this);
taskList.execute(this);
taskList.shutdown();
}
private void pause(double seconds) {
try {
Thread.sleep(Math.round(1000.0 * seconds));
} catch (InterruptedException ie) { }
}
Class continued on next slide
22

Thread Mechanism Two:

Example (Continued)
public void run() {
for(int i=0; i<loopLimit; i++) {
String threadName = Thread.currentThread().getName();
System.out.printf("%s: %s%n", threadName, i);
pause(Math.random());
}
}
}

23

Thread Mechanism Two:

Example (Continued)
public class App2Test {
public static void main(String[] args) {
new App2(5);
}
}

24

Thread Mechanism Two:

Results
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-1:

0
0
0
1
1
2
1
2
3
3
2
4
3
4
4

25

Pros and Cons of Approach

Advantages
Easy to access main app.
run is already inside main app. Can access any public or
private methods or instance variables.

Disadvantages
Tight coupling
run method tied closely to this application

Cannot pass arguments to run

So, you either start a single thread only (quite common), or
all the threads do very similar tasks

Danger of race conditions

You usually use this approach specifically because you
want to access data in main application. So, if run modifies
some shared data, you must synchronize.
26

 2013 Marty Hall

Approach Three: Inner

Class that Implements
Runnable
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Review of Inner Classes

Class can be defined inside another class
Methods in the inner class can access all methods and instance
variables of surrounding class
Even private methods and variables

Example
public class OuterClass {
private int count = ;
public void foo() {
InnerClass inner = new InnerClass();
inner.bar();
}
private class InnerClass {
public void bar() {
doSomethingWith(count);
}
}
28

Thread Mechanism Three:

Runnable Inner Class
Have inner class implement Runnable
Put actions in run method of inner class
public class MyClass extends Whatever {

private class SomeInnerClass implements Runnable {

public void run() { }
}
}

Pass instances of inner class to execute

taskList.execute(new SomeInnerClass());

29

Inner Class Implements

Runnable: Template Code
public class MainClass extends AnyClass {
public void startThreads() {
int poolSize = ...;
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(poolSize);
for(int i=0; i<someSize; i++) {
taskList.execute(new RunnableClass(...));
}
}
...
private class RunnableClass implements Runnable {
public void run() {
// Code to run in background
}
}
}
30

Thread Mechanism Three:

Example
public class App3 extends SomeClass {
public App3() {
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(100);
taskList.execute(new Counter(6));
taskList.execute(new Counter(5));
taskList.execute(new Counter(4));
taskList.shutdown();
}
private void pause(double seconds) {
try {
Thread.sleep(Math.round(1000.0 * seconds));
} catch (InterruptedException ie) { }
}
Class continued on next slide

31

Thread Mechanism Three:

Example (Continued)
private class Counter implements Runnable {
private final int loopLimit;

// Inner class

public Counter(int loopLimit) {

this.loopLimit = loopLimit;
}
public void run() {
for(int i=0; i<loopLimit; i++) {
String threadName = Thread.currentThread().getName();
System.out.printf("%s: %s%n", threadName, i);
pause(Math.random());
}
}
}
}

32

You can also use anonymous inner classes. This is not different enough to warrant a separate
example here, especially since we showed examples in the section on event handling.

Thread Mechanism Three:

Example (Continued)
public class App3Test {
public static void main(String[] args) {
new App3();
}
}

33

Thread Mechanism Three:

Results
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-3:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-1:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-2:
pool-1-thread-2:
34

0
0
0
1
1
2
1
2
3
3
4
5
2
3
4

Pros and Cons of Approach

Advantages
Easy to access main app.
Methods in inner classes can access any public or private
methods or instance variables of outer class.

Can pass arguments to run

As with separate classes, you pass args to constructor,
which stores them in instance variables that run uses

Disadvantages
Tight coupling
run method tied closely to this application

Danger of race conditions

You usually use this approach specifically because you
want to access data in main application. So, if run modifies
some shared data, you must synchronize.
35

2013 Marty Hall

Summary of
Approaches
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Pros and Cons

Separate class that implements Runnable
Can pass args to run
Cannot easily access data in main class (and only public)
Usually no worry about race conditions

Main class implements Runnable

Can easily access data in main class
Cannot pass args to run
Must worry about race conditions

Inner class implements Runnable

Can easily access data in main class
Can pass args to run
Must worry about race conditions
37

Example: Template for a

Multithreaded Network Server
import java.net.*;
import java.util.concurrent.*;
import java.io.*;
public class MultithreadedServer {
private int port;
public MultithreadedServer(int port) {
this.port = port;
}
public int getPort() {
return(port);
}
38

MultithreadedServer.java
(Continued)
public void listen() {
int poolSize =
100 * Runtime.getRuntime().availableProcessors();
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(poolSize);
try {
ServerSocket listener = new ServerSocket(port);
Socket socket;
while(true) { // Run until killed
socket = listener.accept();
taskList.execute(new ConnectionHandler(socket));
}
} catch (IOException ioe) {
System.err.println("IOException: " + ioe);
ioe.printStackTrace();
The later sections on network programming will give details on ServerSocket and Socket.
}
But the basic idea is that the server accepts a connection and then puts it in the queue of
tasks so that it can be handled in a background thread. The network servers section will
}}
give a specific example of this code applied to making an HTTP server.

39

ConnectionHandler.java
public class ConnectionHandler implements Runnable {
private Socket socket;
public ConnectionHandler(Socket socket) {
this.socket = socket;
}
public void run() {
try {
handleConnection(socket);
} catch(IOException ioe) {
System.err.println("IOException: " + ioe);
ioe.printStackTrace();
}
}
public void handleConnection(Socket socket)
throws IOException{
// Do something with socket
}
}
40

 2013 Marty Hall

Race Conditions and

Synchronization
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Race Conditions: Example

public class RaceConditionsApp implements Runnable {
private final static int LOOP_LIMIT = 5;
private final static int POOL_SIZE = 10;
private int latestThreadNum = 0;
public RaceConditionsApp() {
ExecutorService taskList;
taskList = Executors.newFixedThreadPool(POOL_SIZE);
for (int i=0; i<POOL_SIZE; i++) {
taskList.execute(this);
}
}

42

Race Conditions: Example

(Continued)
public void run() {
int currentThreadNum = latestThreadNum;
System.out.println("Set currentThreadNum to "
+ currentThreadNum);
latestThreadNum = latestThreadNum + 1;
for (int i=0; i<LOOP_LIMIT; i++) {
doSomethingWith(currentThreadNum);
}
}
private void doSomethingWith(int threadNumber) {
// Blah blah
}

Whats wrong with this code?

43

Race Conditions: Result

Occasional Output

Expected Output
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set

44

currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum

to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set
Set

currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum
currentThreadNum

to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to

0
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
8
9

In older Java versions, the error showed up rarely: only about 1 in 50 times. In newer Java
versions (that give each thread a smaller time slice and where the underlying computer is
faster), it happens often. There is another version of the code in the Eclipse project that even on
new Java versions, manifests the problem only about 1 in 50 times.

Race Conditions: Solution?

Do things in a single step
public void run() {
int currentThreadNum = latestThreadNum++;
System.out.println("Set currentThreadNum to "
+ currentThreadNum);
for (int i=0; i<LOOP_LIMIT; i++) {
doSomethingWith(currentThreadNum);
}
}

This solution does not fix the problem. In some ways, it makes it worse!

45

Arbitrating Contention for

Shared Resources
Synchronizing a section of code
synchronized(someObject) {
code
}

Fixing the previous race condition

public void run() {
synchronized(this) {
int currentThreadNum = latestThreadNum;
System.out.println("Set currentThreadNum to "
+ currentThreadNum);
latestThreadNum = latestThreadNum + 1;
}
for (int i=0; i<LOOP_LIMIT; i++) {
doSomethingWith(currentThreadNum);
}
}
46

Arbitrating Contention for

Shared Resources
Synchronizing a section of code
synchronized(someObject) {
code
}

Normal interpretation
Once a thread enters that section of code, no other thread
can enter until the first thread exits.

Stronger interpretation
Once a thread enters that section of code, no other thread
can enter any section of code that is synchronized using
the same lock object
47

If two pieces of code say synchronized(blah), the

question is if the blahs are the same object instance.

Arbitrating Contention for

Shared Resources
Synchronizing an entire method
public synchronized void someMethod() {
body
}

Note that this is equivalent to

public void someMethod() {
synchronized(this) {
body
}
}
48

 2013 Marty Hall

Helpful Thread-Related
Methods
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Methods in Thread Class

Thread.currentThread()
Gives instance of Thread running current code

Thread.sleep(milliseconds)
Puts calling code to sleep. Useful for non-busy waiting in
all kinds of code, not just multithreaded code. You must
catch InterruptedException, but you can ignore it:
try { Thread.sleep(someMilliseconds); }
catch (InterruptedException ie) { }

See also TimeUnit.SECONDS.sleep,

TimeUnit.MINUTES.sleep, etc.
Same idea except takes sleep time in different units.

someThread.getName(), someThread.getId()
Useful for printing/debugging, to tell threads apart
50

Methods in ExecutorService
Class
execute(Runnable)
Adds Runnable to the queue of tasks

shutdown
Prevents any more tasks from being added with execute (or
submit), but lets current tasks finish.

shutdownNow
Attempts to halt current tasks. But author of tasks must have
them respond to interrupts (ie, catch InterruptedException), or
this is no different from shutdown.

awaitTermination
Blocks until all tasks are complete. Must shutdown() first.

submit, invokeAny, invokeAll

Variations that use Callable instead of Runnable. See next
slide on Callable.
51

Callable
Runnable
run method runs in background. No return values, but
run can do side effects.
Use execute to put in task queue

Callable
call method runs in background. It returns a value that
can be retrieved after termination with get.
Use submit to put in task queue.
Use invokeAny and invokeAll to block until value or
values are available

52

Example: you have a list of links from a Web page and

want to check status (404 vs. good). Submit them to a task
queue to run concurrently, then invokeAll will let you see
return values when all links are done being checked.

Lower-Level Threading
Use Thread.start(someRunnable)
Implement Runnable, pass to Thread constructor, call start
Thread t = new Thread(someRunnable);
t.start();

About same effect as taskList.execute(someRunnable), except

that you cannot put bound on number of simultaneous threads.
Mostly a carryover from pre-Java-5 days; still widely used.

Extend Thread
Put run method in Thread subclass, instantiate, call start
SomeThread t = new SomeThread();
t.start();

A holdover from pre-Java-5; has little use in modern Java

applications.
53

2013 Marty Hall

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Types of Task Queues

Executors.newFixedThreadPool(nThreads)
Simplest and most widely used type. Makes a list of tasks
to be run in the background, but with caveat that there are
never more than nThreads simultaneous threads running.

Executors.newScheduledThreadPool
Lets you define tasks that run after a delay, or that run
periodically. Replacement for pre-Java-5 Timer class.

Executors.newCachedThreadPool
Optimized version for apps that start many short-running
threads. Reuses thread instances.

Executors.newSingleThreadExecutor
Makes queue of tasks and executes one at a time

ExecutorService (subclass) constructors

Lets you build FIFO, LIFO, and priority queues

55

Stopping a Thread
public class SomeTask implements Runnable {
private volatile boolean running;
public void run(){
running = true;
while (running) {
...
}
doCleanup();
}

Compilers on multiprocessor systems often do optimizations that prevent

changes to variables from one thread from being seen by another thread. To
guarantee that other threads see your changes, either use synchronized
methods, declare the variable volatile, or use AtomicBoolean.

public void setRunning(boolean running) {

this.running = running;
}
}
56

Nasty Synchronization Bug

public class Driver {
public void startThreads() {

for() {
taskList.execute(new SomeHandler(...));
}}}

57

Separate class or inner class. But this

problem does not happen when you
put this here.

public class SomeHandler implements Runnable {

public synchronized void doSomeOperation() {
accessSomeSharedObject();
This keyword has no effect
}
whatsoever in this context! Why?
...
public void run() {
while(someCondition) {
doSomeOperation();
// Accesses shared data
doSomeOtherOperation();// No shared data
}
}
}

Synchronization Solution
Solution 1: synchronize on outer class
If your handler is an inner class, not a separate class
public OuterClassName {
public void someMethod() {
...
taskList.execute(new SomeHandler(...));
}
private class SomeHandler implements Runnable {
public void run() { ... }
public void doSomeOperation() {
synchronized(OuterClassName.this) {
accessSomeSharedObject();
}
}
58

Synchronization Solutions
Solution 2: synchronize on the shared data
public void doSomeOperation() {
synchronized(someSharedObject) {
accessSomeSharedObject();
}
}

Solution 3: synchronize on the class object

public void doSomeOperation() {
synchronized(SomeHandler.class) {
accessSomeSharedObject();
}
}
Note that if you use synchronized for a static method, the lock
is the corresponding Class object, not this
59

Synchronization Solution
(Continued)
Solution 4: synchronize on arbitrary object
public class SomeHandler implements Runnable{
private static Object lockObject
= new Object();
...
public void doSomeOperation() {
synchronized(lockObject) {
accessSomeSharedObject();
}
}
...
}

Why doesnt this problem usually occur with thread

mechanism two (with run method in main class)?
60

Determining Maximum Thread

Pool Size
In most apps, a reasonable guess is fine
int maxThreads = 100;
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(maxThreads);

If you need more precise values, you can

use equation
maxThreads = numCpus * targetUtilization *
(1 + avgWaitTime/avgComputeTime)

61

Compute numCpus with

Runtime.getRuntime().availableProcessors()
targetUtilization is from 0.0 to 1.0
Find ratio of wait to compute time with profiling
Equation taken from Java Concurrency in Practice

Other Advanced Topics

wait/waitForAll
Releases the lock for other threads and suspends itself (placed in a
wait queue associated with the lock)
Very important in some applications, but very, very hard to get
right. Try to use the newer Executor services if possible.

notify/notifyAll
Wakes up all threads waiting for the lock
A notified thread doesnt begin immediate execution, but is placed
in the runnable thread queue

Concurrency utilities in java.util.concurrency

Advanced threading utilities including semaphores, collections
designed for multithreaded applications, atomic operations, etc.

Debugging thread problems

Use JConsole (bundled with Java 5; officially part of Java 6+)
62

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/technotes/guides/management/jconsole.html

 2013 Marty Hall

Wrap-Up
Customized Java EE Training: http://courses.coreservlets.com/
Java, JSF 2, PrimeFaces, HTML5, JSP, Ajax, jQuery, Spring, Hibernate, RESTful Web Services, Hadoop, Android.
63

Developed and taught by well-known author and developer. At public venues or onsite at your location.

References
Books
Java Concurrency in Practice (Goetz, et al)
Chapter 10 (Concurrency) of Effective Java, 2nd Ed
(Josh Bloch)
Effective Java is the all-time best Java practices book

Java Threads (Oak and Wong)

Online references
Lesson: Concurrency (Oracle Java Tutorial)
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/essential/concurrency/

Jacob Jenkovs Concurrency Tutorial

http://tutorials.jenkov.com/java-concurrency/index.html

Lars Vogels Concurrency Tutorial

http://www.vogella.de/articles/JavaConcurrency/article.html
64

Summary
Basic approach
ExecutorService taskList =
Executors.newFixedThreadPool(poolSize);

Three variations
taskList.execute(new SeparateClass());
taskList.execute(this);
taskList.execute(new InnerClass());

Handling shared data

65

synchronized(referenceSharedByThreads) {
getSharedData();
modifySharedData();
}
doOtherStuff();

2013 Marty Hall

Questions?
JSF 2, PrimeFaces, Java 7 or 8, Ajax, jQuery, Hadoop, RESTful Web Services, Android, HTML5, Spring, Hibernate, Servlets, JSP, GWT,
and other Java EE training. Also see the Java 8 tutorial and general Java programming tutorial.

Customized Java EE Training: http://courses.coreservlets.com/

Java, JSF 2, PrimeFaces, HTML5, JSP, Ajax, jQuery, Spring, Hibernate, RESTful Web Services, Hadoop, Android.
66

Developed and taught by well-known author and developer. At public venues or onsite at your location.